Syncronizing audio playback in coordination with external video playback with auto-dimming

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. A method of tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery includes selecting a film from amongst a set of films in a user interface to a mobile device and downloading into persistent storage of the mobile device, an audio file associated with the selected film. The method also includes initiating playback of the audio file through the mobile device and presenting one or more selectable fine tune controls in the user interface of the mobile device. In this regard, the controls respond to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time. Finally, the method includes responding to a selection of one of the controls in the user interface, by skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to audio playback in a mobile device and more particularly to audio playback in coordination with external video playback.

2. Description of the Related Art

Video playback refers to the presentation on a display substrate of previously recorded video imagery. Historically, video playback included merely the projection of a multiplicity of frames stored in a pancake of film onto screen—typically fabric. Audio playback simultaneously occurred with the playback of video imagery in a coordinated fashion based upon the transduction of optical patterns imprinted upon the film in association with one or more frames of imagery also imprinted upon the film. Thus, the coordination of playback of both audio and video remained the responsibility of a single projection device in the context of traditional film projection.

Unlike motion pictures, in the scholastic environment and even in the context of modern visual presentations, visual playback of a series of images such as a slide show occur separately from the playback of accompanying audio. In this regard, it is customary for the presenter to initiate playback, and in response to a particular cue, such as the presentation of a slide that states, “press play now”, the presenter can manually initiate playback of an audio cassette to audibly supplement the presentation of a series of slides in the slide show. However, the necessity of precision in coordinating the playback of the audio cassette with the presentation of different slides is lacking in that each slide of the slide show may remain visible on a presentation screen for an extended duration.

Coordinating the playback of audio separately from the projection of a film in a movie theater is not a problem of present consideration because modern file projectors manage both audio and video playback. However, circumstances arise where external audio may be desired in supplement to or in replacement of the audio inherently present during the projection of a film. For example, for an audience member who comprehends a language other than the language of a presented film and other audience members, it is desirable to simulcast audio of a language native to the audience member in lieu of the audio of the presented film that differs from the language of the audience member. Yet, coordinating the synchronized playback of the supplemental audio with the playback of the video without the cooperation of the projectionist of the film can be a manually intensive process of timing the initiation of the playback of the supplemental audio in respect to a particular cue of the film.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to the synchronized playback of audio with externally presented video and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. In an embodiment of the invention, a method of tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery is provided. The method includes selecting a film from amongst a set of films in a user interface to a mobile device and downloading into persistent storage of the mobile device, an audio file associated with the selected film. The method also includes initiating playback of the audio file through the mobile device and presenting one or more selectable fine tune controls in the user interface of the mobile device. In this regard, the controls respond to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time. Finally, the method includes responding to a selection of one of the selectable fine tune controls in the user interface, by skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the set of films is filtered in accordance with a determined location of the mobile device. In another aspect of the embodiment, a display of the user interface is dimmed during playback of the audio file. In yet another aspect of the embodiment, the mobile device is placed into an airplane mode during playback of the audio file. In even yet another aspect of the embodiment, the audio is played back over a wireless headset communicatively coupled to the mobile device. Finally, in even yet another aspect of the embodiment, the controls include a skip forward control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping forward the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time, and a skip backwards control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping backwards the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time.

In another embodiment of the invention, an audio presentation data processing system is configured for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. The system includes a mobile device that includes a display, audio circuitry, memory and at least one processor. The system also includes a tunable audio playback module executing in the memory of the mobile device. The module includes program code enabled upon execution in the memory to present in the display a set of films, to select one of the films in the set, to download into the memory an audio file associated with the selected one of the films, to initiate playback of the audio file through the audio circuitry, to present in the display one or more selectable fine tune controls, the controls responding to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time and to respond to a selection of one of the selectable fine tune controls in the display by skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a process for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an audio presentation data processing system configured for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery; and,

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a user interface can be presented within a mobile device through which an end user may select one of several films scheduled for presentation in a particular location. Optionally, the films may be filtered to include only those films scheduled for presentation at a location determined to be co-extensive with a determined location of the mobile device. Thereafter, an audio track associated with the selected film can be downloaded to the mobile device and a user interface control can be presented in the user interface responsive to the selection thereof, playback of the audio through the mobile device can be initiated. Importantly, one or more selectable fine tune controls can be presented in the user interface so as to control a fine tune adjustment of the playback of the audio by skipping forward or backwards of the audio playback by a discrete number of seconds. In this way, an end user viewing concurrently presented film can fine tune coordinate the synchronized playback of the audio.

In further illustration, FIG. 1 pictorially shows a process for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. As shown in FIG. 1, a selection user interface 120 can be presented in a mobile computing device 110 so as to present a listing of films scheduled for presentation proximate to a location of the mobile computing device 110. One of the files in the selection user interface 120 can be selected in response to which an associated audio file 130 can be downloaded to the mobile computing device 110. Thereafter, a playback user interface 140 can be presented in the mobile computing device 110. The playback user interface 140 can include a playback user interface control 150 responsive to the selection of which the audio file 130 can be played back in the mobile computing device. The playback user interface 140 additionally can include fine tuning controls 160, 170 responsive to the selection of which the playback of the audio file 130 can be skipped by a pre-determined time period.

For example, during the initial presentation of a selected one of the films in the selection user interface 120, a prompt can be provided in the playback user interface 140 to initiate playback of the associated audio file 130 by selecting the playback user interface control 150 when a particular image is presented in the film, or when a particular sound is heard in the film. Optionally, the mobile computing device 110 can audibly detect the particular sound through a microphone and the mobile computing device 110 automatically can initiate playback of the associated audio file 130. Thereafter, to the extent that the playback of the associated audio file 130 is not in perfect synchronization with the presentation of the film, the fine tuning controls 160, 170 can be selected in order to adjust the playback of the associated audio file 130 so as to better synchronize the playback of the associated audio file 130 with the presentation of the film.

The process illustrated in connection with FIG. 1 can be implemented within an audio presentation data processing system. In further illustration, FIG. 2 schematically shows an audio presentation data processing system configured for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. The system can include a mobile computing device 280 that includes at least one processor 210 and memory 220. The mobile computing device 280 also can include a display 230 and audio circuitry 240. The mobile computing device 280 yet further can include a global positioning system circuit 250 as well as a Bluetooth communications circuit 270. The global positioning system circuit 250 can be enabled to locate the mobile computing device 280 and provide its location to requesting applications operating in the mobile computing device 280. The Bluetooth communications circuit 270 in turn can manage the exchange of audio communications data from the audio circuitry to a Bluetooth headset.

A media player 260 can be included in the mobile computing device 280. The media player 260 can be configured to playback an audio file loaded in the memory 220 of the mobile computing device 280. Finally, a tunable audio playback module 300 can be included in the mobile computing device 280. The module 300 can include program code enabled upon execution in the memory 220 to present a listing of films scheduled for playback proximate to a location reported by the global positioning system circuit 250. The program code additionally can be enabled to select one of the films in the listing and to download to the mobile computing device 280 an audio file associated with the selected one of the films. The program code further can be enabled to initiate the playback of the audio file in the media player 260.

Optionally, the program code can direct the dimming of the display 230 and the placement of the mobile computing device 280 during the playback of the audio file into an airplane mode (e.g. disabling cellular communications by the mobile computing device 280). Finally, the program code can be enabled to tune the playback of the audio file by responding to the selection of one or more user interface controls in the display 230 directing a directional skipping of a pre-determined segment of time of the audio file. In this way, the playback of the audio file can be synchronized with the presentation of the selected one of the films.

In even yet further illustration of the operation of the tunable audio playback module 300, FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery. Beginning in block 310, a location of the mobile computing device can be obtained and in block 320, a list of films scheduled for presentation, filtered for proximity to the location, can be retrieved from over a computer communications network, such as the global Internet. In block 330, one of the films in the list can be selected and in block 340, an associated audio file can be downloaded from a remote repository in a network communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device. In block 350, playback of the audio file can be initiated in the mobile computing device and in decision block 360, it can be determined whether or not the synchronization of the playback of the audio file is to be fine tuned in respect to the presentation of the selected one of the films. If so, in block 370 the playback of the audio file can be skipped by a pre-determined period of time.

The present invention may be embodied within a system, a method, a computer program product or any combination thereof. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium or media having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows: 

1. A method of tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery, the method comprising: selecting a film from amongst a set of films in a user interface to a mobile device; downloading into persistent storage of the mobile device, an audio file associated with the selected film; initiating playback of the audio file through the mobile device; presenting one or more selectable fine tune controls in the user interface of the mobile device, the controls responding to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time; and, responsive to a selection of one of the selectable fine tune controls in the user interface, skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time; wherein a display of the user interface is dimmed during playback of the audio file.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of films is filtered in accordance with a determined location of the mobile device.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is placed into an airplane mode during playback of the audio file.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio is played back over a wireless headset communicatively coupled to the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the controls include a skip forward control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping forward the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time, and a skip backwards control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping backwards the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time.
 7. An audio presentation data processing system configured for tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery, the system comprising: a mobile device comprising a display, audio circuitry, memory and at least one processor; and, a tunable audio playback module executing in the memory of the mobile device, the module comprising program code enabled upon execution in the memory to present in the display a set of films, to select one of the films in the set, to download into the memory an audio file associated with the selected one of the films, to initiate playback of the audio file through the audio circuitry, to present in the display one or more selectable fine tune controls, the controls responding to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time and to respond to a selection of one of the selectable fine tune controls in the display by skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time, wherein the display is dimmed during playback of the audio file.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the set of films is filtered in accordance with a determined location of the mobile device.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile device is placed into an airplane mode during playback of the audio file.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the audio is played back over a wireless headset communicatively coupled to the mobile device.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the controls include a skip forward control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping forward the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time, and a skip backwards control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping backwards the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time.
 13. A computer program product for the tunable playback of audio coordinated with externally presented video imagery, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device to cause the device to perform a method comprising: selecting a film from amongst a set of films in a user interface to a mobile device; downloading into persistent storage of the mobile device, an audio file associated with the selected film; initiating playback of the audio file through the mobile device; presenting one or more selectable fine tune controls in the user interface of the mobile device, the controls responding to a selection thereof by skipping playback of the audio file by a predetermined period of time; and, responsive to a selection of one of the selectable fine tune controls in the user interface, skipping playback of the audio file by the predetermined period of time; wherein a display of the user interface is dimmed during playback of the audio file.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the set of films is filtered in accordance with a determined location of the mobile device.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is placed into an airplane mode during playback of the audio file.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the audio is played back over a wireless headset communicatively coupled to the mobile device.
 18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the controls include a skip forward control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping forward the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time, and a skip backwards control configured to respond to a selection thereof by skipping backwards the playback of the audio by a predetermined amount of time. 